FIJIs Break Ground on New Chapter House

Two-dozen alumni joined the undergraduate members of Psi Chapter of Phi
Gamma Delta as the Wabash College fraternity broke ground on a new
chapter house.

The $5.1 million house, designed by Psi Chapter alumnus Jim Riddle ’86,
captures many of the same architectural elements found on the current
chapter house, which was built in 1927.

"We started with a Tudor style to match the traditional architectural
design from 1927," says Riddle, who owns his own architecture business
in St. Louis, Missouri. "The front has three large gables which
symbolize the Greek letters of Phi Gamma Delta and stand for the
principles on which the fraternity was founded. It has six large windows
in the front which symbolize the six men who established the fraternity.
And we worked in a diamond theme throughout the house, so in many ways
the physical structure is the embodiment of the fraternity's principles."

The chapter house's capacity will be 65. Riddle points out that the most
significant difference is in room size; study rooms will be
approximately twice as large as current rooms. "This is exciting because
today's college students bring so much with them—computers,
refrigerators, stereos; it's not like the time when the fraternity was
built and men pretty much came to Wabash with just a suitcase," adds
Riddle.

The new fraternity will feature a much larger kitchen, plus a student
kitchen that will be open for students to grab a bite 24 hours a day.
There are several shared study, conference, and computer rooms,
primarily on the upper floors. Central air conditioning and a sprinkling
system are welcome additions to the new house, ammenities the old
chapter house didn't have. "It's amazing how many college students die
from faulty wiring and fires on campus," added Riddle. "So while
students don't think much about modern electrical and sprinkling
systems, the new house will certainly be a much safer place to live."

"This has been a six year labor of love," says Psi Chapter Housing
Corporation President Greg Miller ’83. "It's so nice to finally break
ground on the project that builds on the chapter's history and
traditions, but will serve future generations of Fijis."

Miller pointed out that Psi Chapter alumni have raised approximately
$2.5 million toward the project's estimated cost of $5.1 million. "We've
done a great job of raising funds so far, but we still have a lot to do.
We feel like our alumni will be excited about the unique opportunities
the new chapter house will provide for the undergraduates."

The house is being constructed directly across Grant Avenue from the
Center Hall parking lot. General contractor for the project is Geupel
DeMars Hagerman of Indianapolis. Constructed is set to conclude in time
for the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year. The project is part of
the ongoing Fraternity Partnerships, which are part of the Campaign for
Leadership.